The Cycling News podcast is a podcast all about the world of professional cycling. Brought to you by the world centre of cycling, the Cycling News Podcast reports from the biggest races, including the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and interviews the stars of the sport.

The Grand Tour landscape for 2018 continues to develop with the unveiling of next year’s Giro d’Italia route on Wednesday evening. The 3,546.2-kilometre, three-week event starts in Israel and takes in just 44.2km of time trialling and a total of eight summit finishes.

Perhaps the biggest news of the evening was the confirmation that Chris Froome would make a return after an eight-year absence, to attempt the fabled Giro-Tour double.

In the latest edition of the Cyclingnews podcast Daniel Benson and Sadhbh O’Shea, joined by Procycling editor Ed Pickering, take a closer look at the route, ask if Froome can achieve where others have failed in the last 20 years and discuss the political challenges faced by the organisers by bringing the race to Israel.

We also hear from this year’s champion Tom Dumoulin and Cyclingnews’ European editor Stephen Farrand, who was at the route announcement, makes a guest appearance to give us his thoughts on the route.

In this week’s podcast episode editor in chief Daniel Benson and the Times’ Jeremy Whittle discuss the end of the UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) investigation into Team Sky, British Cycling, Bradley and the alleged anti-doping violation.

We look at the ramifications of the case; where this leaves the reputations of those involved, and we’ll look back at the key points that led to Wednesday’s news that no charges would be brought by UKAD.

The case was launched in September 2016, when an allegation was made by an unknown source that claimed that a medical substance was sent from British Cycling’s base in Manchester to Team Sky and Wiggins at the Criterium du Dauphine in 2011. The parties involved claimed that the package contained a legal decongestant, although no proof or medical records were ever provided to substantiate this.

UKAD’s case reached a dead end but raised questions over the body’s ability to fulfil its proposed remit. We look at whether this case can we be seen as anything but a defeat for UKAD, and the legacies of Team Sky, Dave Brailsford, Wiggins and British Cycling.

At the end of August Cannondale Drapac were plunged into difficulty when a major potential sponsor pulled away from negotiation. The American team, run by Jonathan Vaughters, were left with a $7,000,000 shortfall and quickly told their riders and staff that if a new sponsor could not be secured then the team would almost certainly fold.

With just a fortnight to save the team a crowd-funding operation was set up, and over $500,000 raised from fan donations. At the same time Vaughters embarked on a risky, and somewhat controversial gamble, signing star rider Rigoberto Uran to a three-year deal despite not having the long-term funds yet in place.

With just days to spare, a potential buy out from another party on the table, and riders jumping ship, the Slipstream Sports operation was saved when Vaughters signed EF Education First as a title sponsor.

In this exclusive podcast interview Vaughters talks candidly about the brinksmanship involved, the high risks stakes, how the support from the Argyle fans spurred him on, the comprises he had to make, and what the future looks like for EF Education First - Drapac powered by Cannondale.